U.S. patent application number 15/658146 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-09 for beam bar snap in an electronic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Kenneth A. Jenks.
Application Number | 20170325339 15/658146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43780568 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170325339 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jenks; Kenneth A. |
November 9, 2017 |
BEAM BAR SNAP IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
This is directed to a hook and receiving element combination for
securing components forming the shell of an electronic device. The
receiving element can include a beam connected to the outer shell
component and operative to deflect as the hook element approaches
the receiving element. To limit deflections of the outer shell
component, the beam can be restrained at opposing ends in
directions perpendicular to the beam length, but free to slide
along the beam axis. In some embodiments, the receiving element can
include a lip for guiding the deflection of the beam as the beam
contacts the hook element. In particular, the lip can ensure that
the beam deflects at an angle relative to the hook element motion
such that a smaller hook element motion is required to engage the
beam.
Inventors: |
Jenks; Kenneth A.;
(Capitola, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
43780568 |
Appl. No.: |
15/658146 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12571183 |
Sep 30, 2009 |
9723730 |
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15658146 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49876 20150115;
H05K 5/0013 20130101; H04M 1/0252 20130101; Y10T 403/18
20150115 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/00 20060101
H05K005/00; H04M 1/02 20060101 H04M001/02 |
Claims
1. An electronic device, comprising: a first housing structure; a
second housing structure; and a snap assembly for attaching the
first housing structure to the second housing structure, wherein
the snap assembly includes: a post coupled to the first housing
structure; a protrusion extending from the end of the post; and a
beam bar coupled to the second housing structure, wherein the beam
bar engages with the protrusion and wherein the beam bar is
configured to deflect, when the protrusion passes by the beam
bar.
2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising
electronic components mounted in the first and second housing
structures.
3. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein at least a
portion of the beam bar is separated from the second housing
structure by an opening and wherein the protrusion is received
within the opening when the beam bar is engaged with the
protrusion.
4. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the first
housing structure comprises a bezel coupled to a display
window.
5. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a
coupling element that couples the beam bar to the second housing
structure, wherein the coupling element constrains movement of the
beam bar along a first axis while allowing movement of the beam bar
along a second axis that is different from the first axis.
6. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising a
coupling element that couples the beam bar to the second housing
structure, wherein the coupling element constrains one end of the
beam bar while an opposing end of the beam bar is free to move.
7. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising
first and second coupling elements that couple the beam bar to the
second housing structure, wherein the first and second coupling
elements constrain movement of respective first and second ends of
the beam bar.
8. The electronic device defined in claim 1 wherein the second
housing structure comprises a ramp that guides the beam bar when
the beam bar is deflected by the protrusion.
9. The electronic device defined in claim 8 wherein the ramp and
the post are non-parallel.
10. The electronic device defined in claim 9 wherein the second
housing structure comprises a chamfered wall extending from the
ramp.
11. A portable electronic device, comprising: a first metal housing
member; a second metal housing member; a hook extending from the
first metal housing member; and a beam extending from the second
metal housing member, wherein the nook engages with the beam to
attach the first metal housing member to the second metal housing
member by occupying a gap between the beam and the second metal
housing member.
12. The portable electronic device defined in claim 11 wherein the
nook deflects the beam as it moves past the beam toward the
gap.
13. The portable electronic device defined in claim 11 further
comprising a coupling element that couples the beam to the second
metal housing member, wherein the coupling element constrains
movement of the beam along a first axis while allowing movement of
the beam along a second axis that is different from the first
axis.
14. The portable electronic device defined in claim 11 further
comprising a display window coupled to the first and second metal
housing members.
15. The portable electronic device defined in claim 14 wherein the
first metal housing member comprises a bezel coupled to the display
window.
16. An electronic device, comprising: first and second housing
structures; a display window coupled to the first and second
housing structures; a post extending from the first housing
structure, wherein the post has first and second opposing ends,
wherein the first end is coupled to the first housing structure,
and wherein the second end has a hook element; and a receiving
element extending from the second housing structure, wherein the
receiving element receives the hook element to attach the first
housing structure to the second housing structure, and wherein the
receiving element comprises a beam bar.
17. The electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein a portion of
the beam bar is separated from the second housing structure by a
gap, and wherein the hook element is located in the gap when it is
received by the receiving element.
18. The electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the receiving
element comprises a coupling element that constrains movement of
the beam bar along a first axis while allowing the beam bar to
deflect along a second axis.
19. The electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the receiving
element comprises a beveled surface that guides the beam bar in a
direction non-parallel to the post when the hook element deflects
the beam bar.
20. The electronic device defined in claim 16 wherein the first and
second housing structures comprise metal.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of patent application
Ser. No. 12/571,183, filed Sep. 30, 2009, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This is directed to a beam bar snapping mechanism for
coupling components of a handheld electronic device. In particular,
this is directed to a beam, bar snap for coupling an electronic
device bezel to an electronic device housing.
[0003] A portable electronic device can include several components
defining the outer shell of the device. For example, the electronic
device can include a housing that is coupled to a bezel
substantially forming the external surfaces of the device. Each of
the housing and bezel can be coupled to secondary components as
part of the outer shell. For example, the housing can include a
plastic cover positioned adjacent to an antenna, and the bezel can
be coupled to a glass window under which display circuitry is
provided.
[0004] The components forming the outer shell of the device can be
connected using any suitable approach. In some embodiments,
secondary components can be incorporated between the outer shell
components in the assembly. For example, a spring element can be
used to connect engaging members of a bezel and of a housing. In
some embodiments, one of the components of the outer shell can
include an engaging member operative to engage a corresponding
member or element of the other outer shell component. For example,
a bezel can include a hook for engaging a corresponding recess or
notch in a housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This is directed to deflecting beam bar for receiving a snap
to engage outer shell components of an electronic device. In
particular, this is directed to a beam bar coupled to a device
housing for receiving a hook extending from a bezel that engages
the device housing.
[0006] The outer shell of an electronic device can be formed by
engaging a bezel with a housing. The bezel and housing can include
complimentary elements (e.g., a hook element and a receiving
element) such that a hook element of one engages a receiving
element of the other. The hook element can be constructed in any
suitable manner, including for example as an offshoot or hook
extending from a post connected to the surface of the bezel or
housing.
[0007] The receiving element can be constructed from any suitable
element operative to receive the offshoot of the hook element. To
limit or reduce the stress on the outer shell component, the
receiving element can include a beam connected to the outer shell
component and operative to deflect as the hook element approaches
the receiving element. For example, the beam can be restrained at
opposing ends in directions perpendicular to the beam length, but
free to slide along the beam axis to ensure that the only the beam
deflects, and not the portions of the outer shell element
restraining the beam.
[0008] The portions of the receiving element restraining the beam
deflection can include several features for guiding the hook
element as it engages the receiving element. In one embodiment, the
receiving element can include a lip for guiding the deflection of
the beam as the beam contacts the hook element. In particular, the
lip can ensure that the beam deflects substantially perpendicular
or at an angle to the hook element motion, such that a smaller hook
element motion, is required to engage the beam.
[0009] To assist in servicing the electronic device, the hook
element and receiving element can be tuned to define the particular
force at which the hook element releases the receiving element. In
addition, the number and position of the hook, elements and
receiving elements can be tuned based on the desired retaining
force for the device. In one implementation, the engaging force can
be selected such that the outer shell components can be removed
using a suction-applied force.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above and other features of the present invention, its
nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description, taken, in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic
device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top of view an illustrative bezel and housing
forming an electronic device outer shell in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of atypical hook element
engaged to a receiving element;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the engaged hook and
receiving elements of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an illustrative hook element
and receiving element engagement in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an illustrative receiving
element for use with a hook element in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of another perspective of the
receiving element of FIG. 6 in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention
[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the receiving element base of
the illustrative receiving element of FIG. 6 in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative
receiving element of FIG. 6 when engaging a hook element in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the illustrative receiving
element of FIG. 6 coupled to an enclosure element in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative
receiving element of FIG. 6 when engaged to a hook element in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and
[0022] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for
engaging hook find receiving elements in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] An electronic device can include an outer shell in which
electronic device components can be secured and protected. The
outer shell can be constructed from several components that engage
one another using complimentary engaging elements. For example, an
outer shell can include a bezel having a hook element that engages
a fastening element, of a housing. The fastening element can
include any suitable feature for engaging the hook element,
including for example a deflecting beam bar that is coupled to the
housing. The beam, bar can be constrained within a retaining
element such, that the beam, bar deflects without causing the
housing to deflect.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electronic device in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Electronic device
100 can include housing 110, bezel 112, and window 120. Bezel 112
can be coupled to housing 110 in a manner to secure window 120 to
the bezel. Housing 110 and bezel 112 can be constructed from any
suitable material, including for example plastic, metal, or a
composite material. In one implementation, housing 110 can be
constructed from plastic or aluminum, and bezel 112 can be
constructed from stainless steel. Window 120 can be constructed
from any suitable transparent or translucent material, including
for example glass or plastic. Different electronic device
components can be retained within electronic device 100 to provide
different functionality to the user.
[0025] The housing and bezel can be coupled using any suitable
approach. In some embodiments, the housing and bezel can include
one or more complimentary features for engaging the bezel to the
housing. FIG. 2 is a top of view an illustrative bezel and housing
forming an electronic device outer shell in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. Housing 210 and bezel 240 can have any
suitable shape or dimension, including for example shapes
determined by an industrial design department. For example, the
housing and bezel can have rounded shapes and be finished to
provide an aesthetically pleasing device. The portions of housing
210 and bezel 240 that come into contact can be sized or finished
such that the interface between the housing and bezel are seamless.
In particular, the housing and bezel can be constructed such that a
user passing a finger over the interface cannot or substantially
cannot detect the interface.
[0026] Housing 210 can engage bezel 240 using any suitable
approach. In some embodiments, housing 210 and bezel 240 can
include complimentary elements extending from the housing and bezel
and operative to engage. For example, housing 210 can include
receiving elements 222, 228, 230 and 232, and bezel 240 can include
complimentary hook elements 252, 258, 260 and 262 operative to
engage the respective receiving elements. Receiving elements 222,
228, 230 and 232 can be substantially identical or instead only
include few common features. Receiving element 222 can include
retaining element 223 to which beam bar 224 is coupled to form
opening 225. To ensure that a hook element can engage beam bar 224,
receiving element can include free space between beam bar 224 and
the bottom surface of housing 210. Retaining element 223 can be
integrated with housing 210 using any suitable approach. In some
embodiments, retaining element 223 can include a distinct component
coupled to the housing (e.g., using an adhesive, solder, welding,
heat staking, or a mechanical fastener). Alternatively, retaining
element can be manufactured within housing 210 (e.g., using
molding, machining, or casting). Beam bar 224 can be coupled to
retaining element 224 such that the beam bar can deflect when a
hook element engages the receiving element. In particular, beam bar
224 can be secured at only one end to ensure that the beam, can
easily deflect. The size (e.g., length and diameter or
cross-section) and material used for the beam can be selected or
tuned based on a desired retention force for housing 210 and bezel
240. Receiving element 228, 230 and 232 can include some or all of
the described features of receiving element 222.
[0027] Hook elements 252, 258, 260 and 262 can include posts from
which hook elements extend. The posts can be sized such that at
least a portion of each post extends into the opening of a
complimentary receiving element (e.g., opening 224). The hook
elements can be sized and positioned along the posts such that the
hook elements can extend below a beam bar (e.g., beam bar 223) find
engage the beam bar. This can ensure that each hook element
properly engages a corresponding receiving element.
[0028] The hook elements and corresponding receiving elements can
be positioned at any suitable location in the enclosure components.
In some embodiments, the hook find receiving elements can be
positioned such that the enclosure bezel can be coupled to the
enclosure housing in only a single orientation. In particular, the
receiving elements can be positioned asymmetrically. In the
particular example of FIG. 2, receiving elements 230 and 232 are
placed adjacent, to one another along an edge of housing 210, which
bezel 240 includes corresponding hook elements 252 and 258 also
placed adjacent to one another on the opposite edge of the bezel.
Receiving elements 222 and 228, and hook, elements 260 and 262 are
positioned apart from one another, but such that receiving elements
222 and 230, and hook elements 252 and 260 are substantially
aligned within the respective housing and bezel. This can ensure
that receiving elements 258 and 262, and hook elements 228 and 232
are asymmetrical, and would not engage complimentary elements
should bezel 240 be placed upside down over housing 210.
[0029] Although the implementation of FIG. 2 has receiving and
hook, elements on opposite sides or ends of the enclosure elements,
the receiving and hook elements can be distributed along the
enclosure elements in any suitable manner. In some embodiments,
only a single receiving and hook element can be used, or receiving
and hook elements of different sizes can be used. Alternatively,
one or more hook and receiving elements can be used on one or more
sides of the bezel and housing. For example, one or more receiving
or hook elements can be used on opposite sides, adjacent sides, or
combinations of these of the housing and bezel. In addition, one or
more of the housing and bezel can be modulable and used with other
types of housings and bezels to form different device enclosures.
To ensure that a single housing or bezel and be used in a variety
of products, the housing or bezel can include receiving or hook
elements that are not used in every device enclosure (e.g., an
extra receiving element in a housing that is used with a first type
of bezel but not with a second type of bezel.
[0030] The hook and receiving elements can have any suitable
configuration. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a typical hook
element engaged to a receiving element. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional
view of the engaged hook and receiving elements of FIG. 3. Assembly
300 can include hook element 310 engaged with receiving element
330, Hook element 310 can include body 312 from which post 314 can
extend. Post 314 can include a discrete protrusion or wall or other
extended post. Post 314 can have any suitable dimension or cross
section, including for example a smaller cross section than body
312 so that post 314 can deflect when positioned over receiving
element 330. Post 314 can extend from body 312 at any suitable
angle, including for example at substantially an orthogonal angle,
or at an angle set by constraints of the device enclosure (e.g., at
an angle to fit particular device components within the
enclosure).
[0031] To engage an edge of receiving element 330, hook element 310
can include angled protrusion 320 defining recess 322 into which
receiving element 330 can fit. Protrusion 320 can include bevel or
chamfered edge 324 culminating in point 326 for guiding receiving
element 330 past protrusion 320 and into recess 322. The length and
angle of edge 324 can be selected based on any suitable criteria,
including for example the required force and displacement to engage
hook, element 310 with receiving element 330, and the retaining
force of the hook element (e.g., the force required to disengage
hook element 310 from receiving element 330).
[0032] Receiving element 330 can include exposed edge 332 sized to
be received within recess 322 and to engage protrusion 320. In some
embodiments, receiving element 330 can be incorporated within the
device housing or bezel (e.g., as fin internal feature within the
enclosure element). In the particular design described in FIGS. 3
and 4, receiving element 330 is substantially fixed and hook
element 310 deflects as the hook and receiving elements engage.
This may put stress on post 314, as well as on interface 313
between body 312 and post 314. In addition, the deflection of post
314 can cause damage or deflection in the bezel or housing in which
hook element 310 is constructed, which can further detract from the
aesthetic appeal of the device enclosure. To ensure that hook
element 310 does not fail, interface 313 may be reinforced, which
in turn can increase manufacturing complexity and cost. An
alternative approach in which another component deflects without
affecting the external enclosure elements may then be
desirable.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an illustrative hook element
and receiving element engagement in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention. Device 500 can include hook element 510 engaged
to receiving element 530. Hook element 510 can include some or all
of the features of hook element 310 described above. In some
embodiments, hook element 510 can be incorporated in or connected
to an interior surface of a device enclosure element (e.g., built
into a bezel or housing). Receiving element 530 can be coupled to
device enclosure element 560 using any suitable approach, including
for example by welding, an adhesive, a fastener, or another
approach.
[0034] Receiving element 530 can include base 532 used to connect
receiving element 530 to enclosure element 560. Base 532 can define
a substantially planar element from which coupling ends 534 and 536
extend. Coupling ends 534 and 536 can include any suitable feature
extending from the surface of base 532 for receiving and retaining
beam bar 540. In particular, coupling ends 534 and 536 can be
positioned at opposite ends of base 532 find offset from the
surface of the base such that beam bar 540 can deflect without
being constrained by base 532.
[0035] Beam bar 540 can be constrained between coupling ends 534
and 536 such that beam bar 540 can bend or deflect without causing
base 532 to deflect. In particular, beam bar 540 can be secured to
only one of coupling ends 534 and 536 such that beam bar 540 can
deflect and move laterally within the other of the coupling ends.
For example, beam, bar 540 can be constrained to move laterally
within a tube formed by one of coupling ends 534 and 536. As
another example, beam bar 540 can be constrained to move laterally
within tubes of both coupling ends 534 and 536, where the coupling
ends limit the lateral travel of the beam bar to ensure that it
remains within the coupling ends.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an illustrative receiving
element for use with a hook element in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of another
perspective of the receiving element of FIG. 6 in accordance with
one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the
receiving element base of the illustrative receiving element of
FIG. 6 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
Receiving element 600 can include planar base 610 that can be
coupled to an enclosure element using any suitable approach. For
example, receiving element 600 can be coupled a housing wall via
welding, an adhesive, a fastener (e.g., passing through opening
612), or any other suitable approach. Base 610 can include coupling
elements 616 and 618 extending from opposite ends of base 610 and
along an edge of base 610. In particular, coupling elements 616 and
618 can extend out of the plane of base 610 such that beam bar 630
is offset from base 610 (e.g., out of the plane of base 610).
Coupling elements 616 and 618 can be constructed using any suitable
approach, including for example by rolling material to create a
tube along an edge of base 610 or coupling a tube to the edge of
base 610.
[0037] Beam bar 630 can be placed between coupling elements 616 and
618 such that at least one end of beam bar 630 is free to be
deflect, laterally (e.g., along the edge of base 610, along the
axis of the beam bar). For example, beam bar 630 can be fixed to
one of coupling elements 616 and 618 (e.g., by crimping the
coupling element, using an adhesive, or a press fit) but free to
slide within the other coupling element. As another example, beam
bar 630 can be placed within coupling elements 616 and 618 such
that neither coupling element prevents the beam bar from moving
along the beam bar axis, but coupling elements 616 and 618 can
include ends caps that retain, beam, bar 630 between the coupling
elements. In some embodiments, beam, bar 630 can instead or in
addition be constructed from two distinct beam elements each
coupled to one of coupling elements 616 and 618, such that the two
distinct beam, elements meet in between, the coupling elements
(e.g., in the middle of base 610, for example adjacent to ramp
620).
[0038] Beam bar 630 can be constructed from any suitable material,
and can have any suitable size. In some embodiments, beam bar can
be constructed from a metal (e.g., steel or aluminum) and have a
diameter in the range of 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm (e.g., 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm).
The particular material used, the size of the beam bar, and the
cross section selected (which may be constant or vary) can be tuned
to select a particular spring constant or bending movement
providing a particular desired retention force for the hook and
receiving element combination.
[0039] When a hook element is placed over receiving element 600,
the hook element can cause beam bar 630 to deflect to engage the
hook element. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative
receiving element of FIG. 6 when engaging a hook element in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 is a
perspective view of the illustrative receiving element of FIG. 6
coupled to an enclosure element in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the
illustrative receiving element of FIG. 6 when engaged to a hook
element in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. To
guide the deflection of beam bar 630, receiving element 600 can
include ramp 620 and chamfered wall 622 along the edge or side of
base 610 that is adjacent to beam bar 630. Ramp 620 can include a
chamfered surface extending from the surface of base 610 towards
beam bar 630 (e.g., extending in the same direction as coupling
elements 616 and 618) such that when beam bar 630 is deflected by
hook element 840, beam bar 630 is redirected by ramp 620. Chamfered
wall 622 can be angled such that it is a continuation of ramp 620.
In particular, as hook element 840 moves into receiving element 610
in the direction indicated by arrow 850, beam bar 630 can be
deflected into ramp 620 by protrusion 842 of hook element 840. Beam
bar 630 can deflect away from protrusion 842 in a direction that is
substantially not parallel to the direction of arrow 850, for
example in the direction indicated by arrow 852, in a direction
substantially orthogonal to the direction of arrow 852, or any
other non-parallel direction.
[0040] The length and angle of ramp 620 can be selected based on
any suitable approach. In some embodiments, the ramp
characteristics can be selected such that beam bar 630 deflects in
a particular direction (e.g., at a substantially large angle
relative to the motion of the hook element), or deflects by a
particular amount. In some cases, the size and angle of protrusion
842 of hook element 840 can be tuned along with the characteristics
of ramp 620 to define a particular displacement and angle of
displacement of beam, bar 630.
[0041] Once protrusion 842 of hook element 840 passes beam bar 630,
no force may be applied to deflect beam bar along ramp 620, and
beam bar 630 may elastically return to its initial position. Beam
bar 630, however, may then engage a recession of hook element 840
(e.g., similar to the implementation described in FIGS. 3 and 4).
This approach therefore ensures that the hook element can engage
the receiving element without any or significant stresses being
exerted on the device enclosure. In particular, enclosure element
802 may not deflect at all, as beam bar 630 alone deflects and
moves laterally as a result of the deflecting within base 610.
[0042] In some embodiments, enclosure element 802, to which
receiving element 600 is coupled, can include one or more features
for allowing beam bar 630 to deflect upon insertion of hook element
840 in receiving element 600. In one implementation, enclosure
element 802 can include extension 804 or depression 806 for
supporting receiving element 600. In particular, receiving element
600 can be coupled to extension 804 such that depression 806 is
located adjacent to ramp 620 and chamfer 622, which can provide
space into which beam bar 630 can deflect. In some cases, enclosure
element 802 can include only one of extension 804 and depression
806.
[0043] In some embodiments, receiving element, can have other
configurations for retaining a beam bar within an enclosure
element, such, that a corresponding hook, element can engage the
beam bar. For example, the receiving element can include two posts
extending substantially perpendicular from an inner surface of the
enclosure element and retaining a beam bar between the two posts.
The posts can retain the beam bar such that the beam bar can be
displaced laterally as it bends. It will be understood, however
that any other supporting structure for retaining a beam bar while
allowing lateral displacement can be used for the receiving
element.
[0044] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for
engaging hook and receiving elements in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. Process 1200 can begin at step 1202.
At step 1204, hook elements used to couple electronic device shell
elements can be aligned with counterpart or corresponding receiving
elements in an opposing shell device. For example, the hook
elements embedded in or coupled to a device bezel can be positioned
and aligned opposite receiving elements of a device housing. At
step 1206, the hook elements can be inserted in the receiving
elements. For example, a tip of each hook element can be placed
within an opening of a corresponding receiving element. At step
1208, as the tip of the hook element engages the receiving element,
the tip can contact abeam bar within the receiving element and
cause the beam bar to deflect. In particular, the beam, bar can
deflect away from, the hook element in a direction angled away from
the direction, of motion of the hook element, for example guided by
a ramp within the receiving element. At step 1210, the hook
elements can engage the complimentary receiving elements to secure
the device shell components to each other. For example, the hook
elements can be inserted into the receiving elements such that the
beam bar returns to its initial position and a protrusion of the
hook element engages the beam bar. Process 1200 can then end at
step 1212.
[0045] The previously described embodiments are presented for
purposes of illustration and not of limitation. It is understood
that one or more features of an embodiment can be combined with one
or more features of another embodiment to provide systems and/or
methods without deviating from the spirit and scope of the
invention. The present invention is limited only by the claims
which follow.
* * * * *